FReeper Canteen ~ D-Day, June 6, 1944 ~ 06 June 2016

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ D-DAY, June 6, 1944 ~

NORMANDY INVASION

May 1944 had been chosen at the conference in Washington in May 1943 as the time for the invasion. Difficulties in assembling landing craft forced a postponement until June, but June 5 was fixed as the unalterable date by Eisenhower on May 17. As the day approached and troops began to embark for the crossing, bad weather set in, threatening dangerous landing conditions. After tense debate, Eisenhower and his subordinates decided on a 24-hour delay, requiring the recall of some ships already at sea. Eventually, on the morning of June 5, Eisenhower, assured by chief meteorologist James Martin Stagg of a break in the weather, announced, “O.K. We'll go.” Within hours an armada of 3,000 landing craft, 2,500 other ships, and 500 naval vessels—escorts and bombardment ships—began to leave English ports. That night 822 aircraft, carrying parachutists or towing gliders, roared overhead to the Normandy landing zones. They were a fraction of the air armada of 13,000 aircraft that would support D-Day.

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Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

January 1944 meeting of Operation Overlord Commanders, General Eisenhower, Walter B. Smith, Omar Bradley, Arthur Tedder, Bernard Montgomery, Trafford Leigh-Mallory and Bertram Ramsay. The Eisenhower Presidential Library

GENERAL EISENHOWER’S MESSAGE SENT JUST PRIOR TO THE INVASION

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

D-DAY AIRBORNE AND BEACH ASSAULT

The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they lay within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the obvious objective of the Pas de Calais, the shortest distance between Great Britain and the Continent. Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.

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LINKS

Leaders and Generals

Veteran’s Oral Histories

Combat Video

Interactive Charts & Maps

War Documents

Learning Activities

CHANCE MEETING BRINGS CAVALRY SERGEANT FACE-TO-FACE WITH D-DAY VETERAN

Sgt. 1st Class Steve Selvage of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment gets an autograph from 91-year-old D-Day survivor Ralph Manley in Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 1. The two met while Selvage was in town to participate in events commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Normandy invasion.

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AIRBORNE MUSEUM HOUSES ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTIFACTS
THAT HONOR HISTORIC JUMP DURING D-DAY INVASION

SAINTE MERE EGLISE, France - This town loves paratroopers - in particular, American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne Divisions.

It was those two divisions that liberated Sainte Mere Eglise June 7, 1944, making it the first town in France to be liberated during World War II.

To show their appreciation for the veterans, an Airborne Museum opened here in 1964. A non-profit organization, all proceeds go back into the museum to pay for upkeep, new exhibits or extensions. The money is also used to provide decorations and celebrations for the anniversary of D-Day, travel for veterans, and exhibitions outside France. A large donation was also made to The National World War II museum in New Orleans, La.

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SOLDIERS PREP TO SUPPORT D-DAY CEREMONIES FOR
65TH ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION

> Senior staff members of Task Force Normandy 65 pose in front of a German gun post at Pointe du Hoc, France. Task Force Normandy 65 is in France providing support and ceremonial command and control for the 65th anniversary of D-Day, June 6. Pointe du Hoc is the site of the 2nd Ranger Battalion's assault on a German stronghold during D-Day. Photo credit Sgt. Fay Conroy, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs

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NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its ½ mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing in a semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed 1,557 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

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Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[EXCH54FE]

yep, out by Ft. Campbell. The rain/storms pass us by most of the time. This year we are getting a bit more rain, have not watered my grass this year, and it is full green and growing like mad!!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning

Thank you, Star, for preparing
the Canteen for today's activities.
It's good to remember true history.

Oh boy, I sure hope Houston gets some relief soon.
And the folks in the mid-west who've been hit
by strong storms and tornadoes.

Had a nice weekend here.
Went to a cookout for (former) father-in-law
who turned 86 back in May
(too much rain in May canceled out a cookout)
and thankfully, all went well.
Yesterday, mostly some R&R.
Today, will be paperwork and arranging appointments for the month.

Gonna make my rounds.

But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

Sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

(for those who have to work...right Pro? hehe)

[left that other site]

Since my Dad was also a Navy Photographer, I grew up with his pictures too! :-)

[left that other site]

Indeed. I treasure it!

[Fiji Hill]

I’ve never heard a Vera Lynn song that I didn’t like.

[SkyDancer]

Good Morning!

Interesting weekend. I was at a local airport where skydiving operations were going on. Got to ride in a jump plane. That was fun.

[PROCON]

Hiya Beachie!

Yeah, what's this work they speak about?

We are HOT, 100+ yesterday and today, thank goodness for A/C!

I had a nice visit with daughter and son came over yesterday and we hung out til late.

I'm just going to hunker down and avoid the heat today, shopping tomorrow.

Hope your day is wonderful!

[luvie]

D-DAY...6TH OF JUNE
NEVER Forget!
So we'll always be FREE!

[SandRat]

I and Charlie are doing well. Batching it time is over till Friday the 16th.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning Pro ((HUGS))

Eek! Too hot already! Don’t blame you for hanging out inside.

Today and tomorrow are going to be a tad warm, so I’ll hang out in the house until Wednesday when it’ll cool off some; then, back to painting fence.

Hummingbirds are back, so the feeder is up. Fun to watch them.

Got to get busy. Have a marvahlicious day.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning night owl ((HUGS))

How was your weekend? Are you hot out there?

[luvie]

Howdy,Early Bird! (((hugs)))

It was a very nice weekend...pretty warm [high 80s], but not as hot as it’s predicted to be this coming weekend [high 90s into 100s] Ugh.

I guess I’m just not a summer person any more! LOL!

Glad you had a nice weekend and got to celebrate with your former FIL! :)

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Just got back from the dentist. How’s it going for you this morning?

[left that other site]

Amen.

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

Ouch! No doubt better than you. I hate dentists...and doctors. LOL!

Hope you and Bo have a great day at the lake! And pie!!

[yarddog]

The 208th ECb landing on Utah Beach on D-Day plus 3.

They were lucky then unlucky then lucky again.

Their ship experienced engine touble and returned to England for repairs. They were originally to have been the very first on the beach to destroy beach defenses.

When they finally got back on the channel their ship was the target of a torpedo. Fortunately their lookout spotted it and they were somehow able to set it off before it hit the ship. Daddy said it still nearly turned the ship over.

[MEG33]

Thank you always for your kind words and support of our troops.

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

A little late, but....

wh!!

Thanks, unique.

JVb.....#100!!